Do you have to National insurance if you are not working?

Question

My hubbys not been working but has been sent a bill for national insurance. It is dated for the period he has not been working and not on any benefit either. Why is this?

Answer 1

You answered the question yourself, it's because he was not on any benefit during that time. If he was claiming benefit, they would have paid his NI contributions for him, as he hasn't, he needs to pay at least the minimum to ensure he is still eligible for a state pension. The amount should not be too much, as I used to pay around £11 per month when I was self employed. If you contact the helpline, they will tell you exactly how much needs to be paid. They are quite helpful and will tell you what to do in the future to make sure you don't fall behind again.

Answer 2

Everybody under pension age has either to pay national insurance or be credited with it if they are unemployed AND signed on at a jobcentre or sick and covered by a doctor's certificate.  Those who do not have a job or a business in any week must pay at the "nonemployed" rate, which I expect is what he has been billed for.

People with very low income can claim exemption, but if he's not been working and hasn't needed to claim benefits I suppose he must have some other means of support.

Answer 3

I've been in the same circumstances, this isn't a bill, it is notification of the amount to pay if you want to have a qualifying year for a State pension.  So, you don't need/have to pay it, you just have to make sure you have enough qualifying years for the State Pension.

Currently men normally need 44, and women normally need 39 qualifying years to get the full State Pension.

However, if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010 you will need 30 qualifying years for a full Basic State Pension.